Faculty Collaboration Database

Epigenetic mechanisms in fetal origins of health and disease. Clin Obstet Gynecol 2013 Sep;56(3):622-32

Date

06/22/2013

Pubmed ID

23787712

Pubmed Central ID

PMC3757540

DOI

10.1097/GRF.0b013e31829cb99a

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84882452083 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   24 Citations

Abstract

Early life environment predicts future health. The initial precedents and research focus on this concept arose out of historical events. However, this concept continues to be relevant as evidenced by the recent Chinese famine and the evidence of racial disparities in the United States. The latter allows us to introduce the "life course model" and "weathering" as relevant epigenetic phenomena. We then review the molecular components of environmental epigenetics. We subsequently present glucocorticoid receptor biology as a paradigm that involves all of the components. Finally, we suggest that environmental epigenetics are a key component of the future of personalized medicine.

Author List

Osborne-Majnik A, Fu Q, Lane RH

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

DNA Methylation
Epigenesis, Genetic
Female
Fetal Nutrition Disorders
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
Gene-Environment Interaction
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Histones
Humans
Infant Mortality
Infant, Newborn
MicroRNAs
Nucleosomes
Pregnancy
Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
RNA, Long Noncoding
Receptors, Glucocorticoid
Starvation